861.24/8–2144: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:39 p.m.]
3097. The Military Mission has received an answer from the Red Air Staff regarding our offer to transport by air ball bearings from Sweden. It is stated that they have no instructions on this question and therefore inquiry should be made through me to the Foreign Office. Letter ends by suggesting possibility that the Soviet Civil Aviation will be given the task of carrying out this mission.
I am not taking this matter up again with the Foreign Office until I receive a reply from the Department to my No. 2938, August 11, 10 a.m. [p.m.] One cannot help but have the impression that the Soviets do not urgently need these bearings.